Senate Committee to Consider Gay-Marriage Bill Monday

A hearing on a bill that would allow gay marriages in Hawaii has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday.

The hearing by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will follow Monday’s 10 a.m. convening of the special session of the Legislature at the request of Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Testimony on the bill is being accepted until 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27. Information on ways to submit testimony can be found here.

“Listening to public input, we’ve strived to strike a balance between the concerns expressed by both sides of this issue,” Sen. Clayton Hee, the committee’s chairman, said in a statement today.

“We have also done our best to provide the public with ample opportunity to review the measure posted online to offer further input. Everyone wishing to participate may do so by submitting testimony.”

If the bill passes out of the committee, it will go to the full Senate for a vote.

The bill, and other information on the special session, can be viewed here.

During special session, the Senate will also consider numerous interim appointments to state boards and commissions requiring Senate confirmation.

Lawmakers are currently planning on holding floor sessions of the Legislature at 11:30 a.m. each day while the special session lasts.